About

What We Do

Zabaan is a private language school based in New Delhi, offering expert language instruction for learners of all levels—both in person and online. Our courses span a rich array of languages, including Hindi, Urdu, English, Persian, Tamil, Punjabi, Pashto, and Sanskrit.

Which zabaan—which language—will you choose to learn?

Who We Are

Zabaan is led by Ali Taqi and Sahil Girdhar—two individuals united by a passion for languages, education, and cultural exchange.

Ali Taqi

Originally from Chicago, Ali is the founder and head instructor at Zabaan. He holds a B.A. in International Studies with a Minor in Asian Languages and Literature from Loyola University Chicago (2003). After teaching extensively in Chicago and Seattle, Ali moved to New Delhi to establish Zabaan as a premier center for language learning.

With a deep interest in linguistics, semantics, syntax, bilingualism, and language pedagogy, Ali brings both academic expertise and hands-on experience to the classroom. He has personally taught over a third of Zabaan’s 100,000+ classes and continues to actively teach Hindi, Urdu, English, and Spanish. He is fluent in all four and is widely respected for his ability to take students from complete beginners to advanced fluency.

Why Was Zabaan Founded

Quality language instruction has traditionally been the domain of large universities, where the focus often leans heavily toward reading texts, with limited emphasis on speaking and real-world communication.

As a passionate language learner himself, Ali recognized a pressing need for a different kind of language school—one that prioritized practical proficiency while still honoring the depth and beauty of grammar and vocabulary. Zabaan was founded to bridge that gap: to move beyond rigid academic models, and instead foster true linguistic fluency through immersive, thoughtful, and learner-centered instruction.

Ali Taqi

Director, Teacher

How We Teach

At Zabaan, our teaching approach is adaptive, personalized, and rooted in one core question: Is the student learning to speak and understand?

While we’ve designed a robust curriculum to suit a wide range of learners, each student’s path is unique. We tailor the pace, scheduling, and focus of every course to align with individual goals, interests, and learning styles—whether you’re aiming for basic conversational fluency or advanced mastery of grammar and nuance.

Our classes strike a careful balance between the clear explanation of grammatical concepts, the steady expansion of vocabulary, and guided conversation practice to build confident, fluid communication. All of our instructors are trained language professionals with deep knowledge of the grammar they teach and extensive experience in delivering it as a second or foreign language.

Although students are expected to complete homework assignments, formal exams are only conducted upon request. Instead, teachers carry out ongoing informal assessments to monitor progress and adjust their lesson plans accordingly—always with clearly defined objectives for each class.

We understand that language learning can feel both exhilarating and intimidating. That’s why we combine academic rigor with a welcoming, supportive environment—encouraging curiosity, building confidence, and guiding every student to their full potential.

Who Would Benefit

Zabaan is for anyone with a passion for languages and a desire to communicate more effectively—no matter your background, learning style, previous experience, or current proficiency level.

Whether your goal is to hold everyday conversations, prepare for language exams, read classical texts in their original form, or navigate dense materials for academic or professional research, Zabaan provides the structure, support, and expertise to help you get there.

Since our founding, we’ve had the privilege of teaching thousands of students from all over the world, representing over sixty different mother tongues. Our diverse student community includes expatriates exploring Indian languages and culture, Indians eager to learn a European language or master the Urdu script, and professionals from across the diplomatic, artistic, and business worlds.

Whatever your reason for learning, Zabaan is here to help you make meaningful progress.

How to Start Learning a Language

Getting started is simple. Reach out to speak with our friend Student Coordinator—she’s here to answer your questions, understand your goals, and help you find the right course for your needs.

When you’re ready to begin, explore our range of offerings and sign up. We provide intensive group courses, evening group classes, flexible in-person private lessons, and flexible online lessons to suit every schedule and learning style.

Our Language Centres

Zabaan’s main language learning centre is located in New Delhi. It features four classrooms, each comfortably seating 6 to 10 students, and offers a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Throughout the day, we serve freshly made chai and coffee, along with a healthy Indian vegetarian lunch—perfect for refueling between lessons.

In addition to our Delhi centre, we offer private one-on-one lessons in major cities around the world. If you’re located outside Delhi and interested in in-person instruction, email us at learn@zabaan.com with your location—we’ll let you know if we have a teacher nearby.